NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE
A JAUNT INTO MEXICO.
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Twenty years ago Mexico was practically a closed country to
the tourist from the United States. Then, the facilities for
transportation were such that the journey into the quaint land
S lying to the South of us implied weeks of arduous travel, which
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only those inured to hardships could stand. Now, the tourist
gets into his Pullman Sleeper at New Orleans and the Southern
Pacific quickly lands himin "the land of the afternoon."
The
S way leads through the beautiful bayou region of Louisiana,
then amid the vast pine forests that fringe the eastern edge of
3 the Lone Star State, past Houston, the great cotton mart, and
San Antonio, the beautiful city of the Alamo and the Missions.
At Spofford the Mexico sleeper swings off from the main line
and in a little while one crosses the Rio Grande at Eagle Pass,
and finds one's self upon the soil of the sister Republic. From
here to Torreon the way leads over the Mexican International,
S and then straight down the Mexican Central, past many quaint
and Medieval towns, through fertile valleys, where men are
plowing with slow-moving oxen, over mountain passes, where
5 the hill tops flatten into grotesque shapes-to the City of
3
Mexico. Every mile of the way is fraught with novel interest.
At each stop the train makes, quaint groups gathered at the
S station claim attention. Their dress is picturesque, their speech
41
S is vigorous but musical. They importune one with all sorts of
S confections and trinkets for sale. The domed cities and towns
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1
which line the way or are visible in the distance, have the at
Smosphere of villages in Palestine. One may make a visit
limited by days, or wander for weeks and not be satiated. The
S interest of the city itself is inexhaustible, while Zacatecas, the
great mining center perched high among the mountains; Guada
lajara, the Boston of the country; San Luis Potosi, with its
0
S architecture and its art, or Vera Cruz or Tampico, lying amid
coffee and banana plantations upon the seacoast, are but a few
of the hundreds of places that attract and charm. You will
S never regret a journey into Mexico, which can be made so
cheaply and expeditiously via New Orleans and the Southern
Pacific. Consult the nearest Southern Pacific agent for rates
s
and information, or write to S. F . B . MORSE, General Passenger
s
and Ticket Agent, Southern Pacific Company, New Orleans, La.
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